The role of cereal ingredients in breakfast has been essential to maintain the product taste as well as nutritive quality. Cereal ingredients are used in wide ranges of products that include bakery, breakfast cereals (hot and cold breakfast cereal), etc. The breakfast cereal ingredient market includes wheat cereals, rice cereals, oat cereals, corn cereals, and barley cereals. The market is driven by changing consumer trends and food preferences.

The breakfast cereal ingredient market is driven by the consumer demand for processed food and beverages, without compromising on the taste and nutrition of the product. The growth potential of the market also depends on the research and development, and opportunities to introduce new types of cereal ingredients. The market is characterized by the growing demand for ready-to-eat breakfast cereals. Due to increasing health issues of highly processed food products, the need for the consumption of cereals are important. Hence, the changing lifestyle and the booming food and beverage industry have driven the demand for cereal ingredients.

In 2013, rice and wheat breakfast cereal ingredients accounted for a major share in terms of value of the total breakfast cereal ingredient market. The steady increase in demand for quick, yet healthy products is projected to increase the market share in terms of value of breakfast cereal ingredients by 2019.

North America formed the largest segment of the breakfast cereal ingredient market in 2013. It is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 1.8% over the projected period. Asia-Pacific is estimated to be the second-largest market due to an increase in the demand for processed food in the region. It is also projected to gain the fastest growth during the same period.